Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption
What is Al technical title?
Al technical title is built by PatSnap Al team. It summarizes the technical point description of the patent document.
a technology of water consumption and system, applied in the field of fluid consumption systems, can solve the problems of frequent buildup and corrosion of mineral deposits, impair operation, and increase the possibility of catastrophic failure, and achieve the effect of reducing energy costs and conserving energy
Inactive Publication Date: 2005-10-20
FIMA R GIOVANNI
View PDF38 Cites 75 Cited by
Summary
Abstract
Description
Claims
Application Information
AI Technical Summary
This helps you quickly interpret patents by identifying the three key elements:
Problems solved by technology
Method used
Benefits of technology
Benefits of technology
[0019] In another embodiment, the system interfaces with other systems or devices of a building, such as the heating and/or cooling system and/or hot water tank(s) of a building. Based on detected water flow in component(s) of the water-based system, the system controls those other systems or devices. For instance, if no or negligible water movement has been detected within a predetermined time period, the heat is tur...
Problems solved by technology
After a period of time, however, mineral deposit buildup and corrosion frequently take place in relief valves and the like, as a result of these periodic operations.
In time, such corrosion or scale build up may impair operation.
When this occurs, the possibility of a catastrophic failure exists.
In addition to the possibility of high pressure explosions taking place in water tanks, other conditions can also lead to significant damage to the surrounding structure.
As hot water tanks age, frequently they develop leaks, or leaks develop in the water inlet pipe or hot water outlet pipe to the tank.
If such leaks go undetected, water damage from the leak to the surrounding building structure results.
While the various systems disclosed in the prior art patents discussed above function to sense potential malfunct...
Method used
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more
Image
Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
Click on the blue label to locate the original text in one second.
Reading with bidirectional positioning of images and text.
Smart Image
Examples
Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test
Embodiment Construction
[0049] Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same or similar components. As used herein, the term water-based system denotes a system that involves components, devices, and / or systems that facilitate the flow of water, such as plumbing components, devices, and / or systems. Although some of the below examples relate to systems involving water, it is to be appreciated that embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to systems involving water, and can be implemented in settings that involve one or more kinds of fluids. Moreover, various embodiments below can be integrated into larger systems that perform useful operations in addition to monitoring and controlling systems involving water and / or other fluids.
[0050]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 200 for monitoring and controlling a fluid-based system according to an embodiment of the invention. The architect...
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more
PUM
Property
Measurement
Unit
Time
aaaaa
aaaaa
Pressure
aaaaa
aaaaa
Flow rate
aaaaa
aaaaa
Login to view more
Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a water-based system are disclosed using one or more sensors for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof. One or more interface modules are provided as breaker circuits for receiving the generated signals, and a fluid control device is operable for limiting the water consumption. A motherboard receives the interface modules and provides communication therebetween for information processing. Signals from the various sensors are supplied to a controller, which provides signals to status indicators, and also operates to provide alarm signals via network interfaces to remote locations. In an alternate embodiment, a water monitoring system is designed to shut off the water supply to the water device and to shut off either the electrical supply or the gas supply to the heating unit of the water device in response to sensing a malfunction through one or more sensed parameters.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10 / 668,897, filed Sep. 23, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10 / 252,350, filed Sep. 23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,835, issued Jul. 27, 2004, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to fluid consumption systems in the home and commercial environments. More particularly, the invention relates to automated controls and monitoring of fluid-based systems employing methods and systems for detecting, communicating, and preventing operational failures. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] There are various water-consuming fixtures, appliances, and systems in both residential and commercial installations. Typical water-based systems include sinks, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, lawn sprinklers, swimming p...
Claims
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more
Application Information
Patent Timeline
Application Date:The date an application was filed.
Publication Date:The date a patent or application was officially published.
First Publication Date:The earliest publication date of a patent with the same application number.
Issue Date:Publication date of the patent grant document.
PCT Entry Date:The Entry date of PCT National Phase.
Estimated Expiry Date:The statutory expiry date of a patent right according to the Patent Law, and it is the longest term of protection that the patent right can achieve without the termination of the patent right due to other reasons(Term extension factor has been taken into account ).
Invalid Date:Actual expiry date is based on effective date or publication date of legal transaction data of invalid patent.